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The clever way politicians are reaching out to the nonreligious: Festivus

By Ryan Teague Beckwith, Digital First Media

Posted:
12/23/2013 12:04:22 AM MST

Updated:
12/23/2013 12:04:46 PM MST

FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2013, file photo, Sen. Rand Paul R-Ky. speaks during the Values Voter Summit, held by the Family Research Council Action in Washington. Paul in recent days has sought to dismiss criticism over similarities between his speeches and entries in Wikipedia, accusing Â footnote policeÂ and Â hacks and hatersÂ for unfairly criticizing him. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Derived from the Bible, gospel music and religious books, those phrases were designed to let religious voters know that the politicians understood their values without turning off voters of different faiths.

Today, politicians are struggling with a different group of voters: the nonreligious. The Pew Research Center has found that about one-fifth of the public — and one-third of adults under the age of 30 — are religiously unaffiliated.

At the same time, about half of Americans think that's a bad thing, so politicians who appeal to openly to the nonreligious risk a backlash.

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Enter Festivus. The end-of-the-year holiday popularized on the 1990s sitcom “Seinfeld” is a mishmash of elements of Christmas, Yom Kippur and a professional wrestling match.

Started by character George Costanza's father on the show (and screenwriter Dan O'Keefe's father in real life), the holiday involves erecting a Festivus pole, airing grievances against loved ones and then showcasing feats of strength.

It's also thoroughly nonreligious, presenting a pretty skeptical take on the commercialism of other holidays. So it's become a great way for politicians to reach out to younger voters who may be skeptical about religion too.

And at a lesser degree, Florida Gov. Rick Scott's administration approved a Festivus pole as part of a multi-denominational holiday display this year, although that was more of a citizen-driven effort.

With the number of nonreligious voters growing, look for more politicians to celebrate Festivus in coming years.

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